Wingham - Stops Along Josephine Street
By Karen Webster
A Mini Tour of Wingham’s downtown
With just one stop on Wingham’s main street, quite a number of interesting sites are available to be perused.
Hanna’s Cannon
On the east side of the street, between St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and 273 Josephine Street stands a cannon facing south that never saw military service in Wingham. Then why is it there on Wingham’s main street?
In 1894, then town mayor, John Hanna, petitioned the Dominion Government to receive a cannon for display. When it arrived, collect, at the Canadian Pacific Railroad station, council refused to pay for something they had not previously approved. Fortunately, a number of local citizens contributed to the cost and the cannon was then placed on the lawn of the town hall. Its next resting place for 75 years was in a park but time was taking its toll and the cannon was dumped in the works yard fated to rust away. Some believe that the cannon may date back to the 1700s.
In 1979, the Wingham and District Historical Society had the 6,500 pound cannon cleaned, painted and restored. It was then moved to beside the former Wingham (North Huron) Museum where it still stands today and is a magnet for youngsters to climb on.
Clock Tower
The red brick building at 273 Josephine Street was opened as the town’s post office in the spring of 1907 during the reign of Edward VII which accounts for the initials E R above one of the windows. The building is an imposing red brick structure on the main street of Wingham with its two storeys, attic and clock tower that stretches the building to six storeys. When approaching Wingham from the south on Highway 4 (London Road), motorists can see the clock tower and the bell tower opposite it which makes for a memorable impression. The clock was imported from England but when it arrived, it was found that the tower structure was not tall enough to accommodate the clock and its workings. The roof of the tower was removed and placed on the flat roof of the post office so that the tower could be built up.
The 3,000 lbs. clock boasts four dial faces that indicate the time with hour hands that are two feet long and minute hands that are eight inches longer. The mechanism must be wound once a week in order that the clock can chime out the hour with its bell.
Although this building has had several other uses in its past including as a day care centre and as a museum, its future is undecided at this time.
Alice Munro Literary Garden
Just a few steps to the south of the clock tower is the Alice Munro Literary Garden, a delightful “secret” place where the paver stones reveal both the names of Alice’s books and of her various awards. The garden is tastefully decorated with seasonal flowers and plants making this a lovely spot to sit and relax.
Town Hall
Across Josephine Street on the west side sits the town hall which houses the municipal offices of North Huron as well as the Town Hall Theatre. Atop this building is a companion sentinel to the town clock that houses a large bell. At one time this bell was rung to alert firefighters of an emergency. The first person to reach the bell and send out the alarm was rewarded financially. The bell was no longer needed for emergencies when, in 1902, the Bell Company installed telephones in the firefighters’ homes. Today, the bell still remains high above the town, seemingly keeping watch.
Mural
North of the town hall is a mural that depicts the Grand Trunk Railway station as it may have looked in 1911. This mural, erected by the Wingham Business Improvement Association, notes some of the businesses that would have been served by the railway. The actual former train station is located further north on Josephine Street.
Library
A short walk to the west brings one to the Alice Munro branch of the Huron County Public Library. This unique structure, built in 1863 on a nearby location, was Wingham’s first public school. In turn, the building was used as a Temperance Hall, by a produce company and by a packing company. After being vacant for almost 30 years, the building was purchased by the town of Wingham in 1985 and then in the following year, it was designated as a heritage property. A complete renovation took place and today, its modern interior belies its past iterations. Drop in and see the lovely premises that honour Alice Munro’s Wingham roots.
A nod to the future
And to tie history with modern times, all these attractions are located near the town’s E V charger station.
